Looking for nice and private accommodation in Cuba?

AlquilerenCuba.com (Bed and Breakfast Cuba casas) brings you the largest selection of Cuban budget accommodations available to book online. Casas Particulares: A stay in a casa particular (literally "private house" indicating that most accommodation in Cuba is state owned) provides a great way to experience the island's culture. A kind of Cuban hostel or bed and breakfast, a casa particular is operated as a guesthouse by an independent Cuban family. Go there and fell this country! Do Cuba on your own, it's easy! Round your trip with us! In recent years, the trade in casas particulares has become increasingly professional, so you are less likely to stay in a quaint family home than a few years ago. Today, casas particulares can be the equivalent of Cuban youth hostels, large boardinghouses with a common area. Recent laws have sought to limit the casas particulares to just five rooms. In any case, increased competition has made some casas on par with the best Cuban hotels (in features and in price). Nevertheless, they remain the best places to stay to experience a true taste of Cuban life.

Lots of tourists go on a package deal to areas such as Varadero, Jardines del Rey (Cayo Coco, Cayo Guillermo) or Holguin and stay in an all inclusive hotel resort. My best advice to you is to travel around the country, stay in Casas Particulares, where you will be a guest in a Cuban family's home. Hire a car or take the Viazul Bus, whatever, Cuba is easy to do on your own and much cheaper when you arrange it yourself, trust me. Have dinner in the casas, talk to the Cuban people, mingle with the locals and feel ... La Vida Cubana.

Why stay in a private house in Cuba?

It is much cheaper than staying in a hotel.

It allows you to know firsthand how to live in Cuba.

You can count on the owners of the houses to indicate places to visit or activities that do not appear in the tourist guides.

Many of the houses offer meals and dinners that are better than the ones you can find in restaurants.

The hosts will give you tips on how to avoid certain areas of the city or be alert ant and potential scams.

If you stay during a long stay or if you have a special affinity with the family, they will start to treat you like a good friend and even as a member of the family.

In order to be impregnated with recent history: Chatting with homeowners about the Revolution or politics will enrich your point of view and is a fantastic way to discover aspects that textbooks do not have.

You are helping small Cuban entrepreneurs to make her business.

You can meet other travelers like you who also stay in the house.

Advisory: Legal aspect Advisory: All the personal information that you bring us will be only for subjects of your reservation in Cuba, we will never send an email like SPAM, only those with answers for questions you ask us and your mail address as well as any other information who offer us will maintain strictly confidential. Your email address, personal data and any other data provided by you, never will not be provided third persons, nor to other organizations, groups or companies.

Money

Money provokes a certain sense of confusion in Cuba as the dual-economy takes some getting used to. Two currencies circulate in Cuba: convertible pesos (CUC$) and Cuban pesos (referred to as moneda nacional, abbreviated MN). The currency situation is made more confusing since Cubans will refer to both CUCs and Moneda Nacional as Pesos. For the average Cuban it will be obvious which they are referring to, but this may lead to confusion for tourists who consider that they are bargaining in local currency only to find that their counter-party expects payment in CUCs! For most tourists moneda nacional has little relevance since most, if not all of their expenditure will be in CUCs. This includes accommodation, food in most restaurants, taxis, bus tickets, nightclub entrances, tips and so on. Things, which can be paid for in local currency, include fruit and vegetables at the agricultural market, street food (such as pizza and peanuts) as well as local buses. Even at the agricultural market the prices are such that a pound of tomatoes may cost CUC 1 or 24 Cuban Pesos (i.e. the same). There are some restaurants and bars/cafes, which charge in Cuban Pesos although the quality is generally poor.

Currency

Try and avoid US dollars since you will be subject to a 10% special additional tax/commission.
The best currencies are Euros, Canadian Dollars, or Sterling since these are the most common and the exchange rates are generally quire reasonable. Bear in mind that the CUC is pegged to the US Dollar (at 1:1) so a stronger US Dollar means a stronger CUC (and hence less CUCs for your Euros/Sterling etc.). Other currencies, which are universally accepted at banks or Cadecas, include the Swiss Francs (CHF), Mexican Pesos (MXN) and Japanese Yen (JPY).
There is no outright commission charged on transactions in cash although the exchange rate will generally be 3% worse than you would be charged on your credit card (for which you pay a 3% processing fee) so net you receive the same CUCs for changing 100 Euros in cash or 100 Euros on your credit card.

Exchanging Currency

The easiest place to change money is at a CADECA (change bureau) or at a Cuban *BFI Bank. The exchange rates in all CADECAS and all banks are identical so there is no need to shop around. Hotels often have CADECAS within their premises. If you change money at the hotel front desk you will generally receive a worse exchange rate then elsewhere.
Note: It is generally very easy to find the nearest CADECA and you should be aware that any Cuban who tries to persuade you that it is complicated or that he can provide you a better rate of exchange will probably be engaged in some sort of scam which is best avoided.
* There are 4 main banks in Cuba. BFI is the most reliable. You may be able to use other Cubans banks but these are less likely to be able to meet your needs since most operate mainly in Cuban Pesos. Always bring new bank notes, with no rips, tears or markings. All foreign coins are useless.
Make sure that you get a printed receipt when changing money.

Credit Cards

Cash is king in Cuba. Except in major hotels you should not count on paying for goods or services with a credit card anywhere in Cuba.

Clothes

Cuba is a sub-tropical country so pack for summer. Bikinis, shorts, sandals, short-sleeved cotton dresses and shirts are the order of the day. But, bear in mind that Cuban men would never wear shorts in the City! A night out at Tropicana or La Guarida restaurant needs something smart if not overly formal.
If you are coming in the winter don’t assume that it will be hot all the time, especially in the evenings. Bring some warm clothing (long sleeves, a sweater or fleece), since there is nothing more frustrating then being frozen to death in a tropical country! Lightweight rain gear is suggested if you are coming in the summer.

Books & magazines

There are basically no magazines or books available in Cuba (excepting some Latin American literature.) Bring reading material or load up the Kindle/IPad. It can be a nice gesture to leave behind some gossip magazines for Cubans you meet along the way.

Medical kit

As in many countries a fully stocked medical kit should be packed as part of your travel luggage. This should include Anti diarrhea (Imodium) some form of antacid (Rolaids or Tums) for stomach problems. The Cuban health care system works pretty well but there is no harm in bringing more than you absolutely may need.

Electricity

Generally Cuban electricity is 110V with the square American plug socket. Into the hostels the electricity is 110v & 220v. Some hotels have predominantly 220V and round sockets.

Havana

Havana is probably the most splendid example of Spanish colonial architecture in Latin America. Much of the historic centre has been carefully restored. The absence of the outward manifestations of international commerce - advertising billboards, burger chains, neon lights - helps create a subtle and haunting atmosphere missing in the other capitals of the Spanish colonial domain. Museums, forts and lively squares add to the attraction.

Viñales

Around Viñales, in the western province of Pinar del Rio, are a unique string of rounded limestone mountains called mogotes; in their shadows are the lush green fields that produce the world's finest tobacco leaves, the dream of cigar connoisseurs from Paris to New York.

Trinidad

Trinidad is a small and peaceful city located between the sea and a range of rolling verdant hills. It pays homage to an illustrious past by remaining perfectly preserved since colonial times. There are fine churches and red-tiled mansions lining the cobbled streets, many of which are open to visitors. To savour the richness of this culture, visit the half-dozen museums or music clubs (casas de la trova), or a cigar factory whilst staying at nearby Playa Ancón.

Varadero

The resort of Varadero, some 32 km NE of Matanzas, is the closest you'll get to finding Miami Beach in Cuba. If you are looking for a straightforward beach holiday in a good modern hotel with cable TV, air-conditioning, a pool and a jacuzzi, then this is the place for you although the best options is a particular house, we offers severals. The seas are warm and crystal blue - and it is one of the few places in Cuba where women can sunbathe topless.

Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos City is called "The Pearl of the South" because of the impressive beauty of its bay; because of its seductive city which provokes the wonder of all who know it, and because of that innate nobility which characterizes those born in Cienfuegos.
The history of Cienfuegos possesses interesting antecedents and is rich in aborigine and Hispanic legends. Before the Spanish came to America, the zone was settled by indigenous people and was known as the Cacicazgo de Jagua.

Santiago de Cuba

Nestled alongside a sweeping bay at the foothills of the Sierra Maestra mountains, Santiago is Cuba's most exotic and ethnically diverse city. Santiago is renowned for producing much of Cuba's most important music, and this rich musical tradition, mingled with the remnants of French customs, gives the city a sensual, even sleazy, New Orleans-like atmosphere.

Baracoa

Baracoa is a land of great rainfall and many rivers. The lush vegetation, the high mountains covered with long-lived forest, the customs that have been handed down from one generation to another and the appearance of a town that has remained unchanged over a long time are, undoubtly, key ingredients in the special attraction of this tiny city on the shores of Miel (Honey) Bay.

Beaches

Cuban beaches are sparkling and unlittered - hotels are not luxurious but seldom blot the shoreline. The bright turquoise waters of the Caribbean, often fringed with palm groves, do not disappoint. The visitor can choose between the isolated and unstructured charms of Las Brujas and the island of Cayo Levisa, or a more sophisticated resort such as Playa Ancon, close to Trinidad or the beaches of the south of Matanzas, Bay of Pigs.

Rural cuba

Alongside the plantations of tobacco, sugar cane or pineapples, rural Cuba - with its tranquil, bucolic lifestyle - rewards the visitor with some gorgeous mountain scenery. Close to Viñales in the west is a dramatic landscape of sheer limestone monoliths, fertile valleys and underground waterways. The historically significant Sierra Maestra, where Castro and his fellow rebels plotted revolution, offers fine hiking in forested hills in the east. You can see rural Cuba by bike and take in both coastal and mountainous scenery.

Nature, Zapata Peninsula

The best-known of Cuba's wildlife havens, the Zapata Peninsula, 156 km southeast of Havana, is a refuge for many bird and animal species. The scenery is spectacular: flamingos swoop across the milky lagoons, and crocodiles meander out across the dirt roads. The entire region is now a nature reserve.

These are the benefits of choosing to stay at a Casa Particular over other types of lodgings:

The guest can quickly develop genuine Cuban relationships and become deeply involved in the culture of the country. Before you knows it, the guest will be part of the family. In a big resort one may only meet hotel workers and other tourists. The guest will, probably, enjoy the usually free and easy atmosphere, feel at home in the casa particular and will be able to invite friends over. Current regulations for state-run hotels don’t allow Cuban guests to be invited to hotel rooms. It is almost always cheaper to stay in a private room than in a hotel.
Renting a casa particular, the guest will be directly contributing to a person or family's standard of living.

Our main goal is to find a private houses in Cuba. Our service is reliable and personal. Online reservations are not common in Cuba, that is why we guarantee a fast reply within 24 hours of your request. We have direct contact with our Casa Particular owners who will honor your reservation if it has been confirmed. You will never feel loss with our services; once you have reserved a room, we will give you all the information needed and will be ready to answer any questions.

Cuba is perhaps the most fascinating island in the Caribbean -- if you can get there. It's a contradictory destination where stunning beaches and luxurious tourist-only resorts mask the true conditions under which most Cubans live. If you go, take time not only to savor this country’s extraordinary beauty, but to talk to the people, listen to their music, and explore their cities and towns — this is the essence of traveling to Cuba.

Cuba Activities and Attractions

Make sure to spend some time in Havana, designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The old center in particular is captivating with its mix of 16th- and 17th-century Spanish Baroque architecture, neoclassical monuments and charming homes. Other cities worth visiting include Trinidad, Baracoa and Santiago. For a more scenic view of the country, visit Sierra Maestra National Park and climb Cuba’s highest peak. If you’re a fan of cigars, don’t leave without a visit to the tobacco fields of the Viñales Valley.

Cuba Beaches

Cuba’s main beach resort area is Varadero, consisting of about 13 miles of fine white-sand beach with an extensive selection of watersports and lined by all-inclusive resorts. Guardalavaca, another of Cuba's top beach destinations, is near interesting dive and archaeological sites and has some excellent resorts. If you want to get away from it all and don’t mind a lack of facilities, head to Cayo Sabinal, where you’ll find undisturbed beaches tucked away.

Cuba Culture and History

Columbus discovered Cuba in 1492, and Diego Velázquez colonized the island in the 1500s. Spanish domination ended with Cuba’s military occupation by the United States in 1898. Although the occupation ended in 1902 when Cuba became an independent republic, the U.S. continued to meddle in Cuban politics. In 1953, Fidel Castro began a movement to overthrow the U.S.-backed dictatorship of President Fulgencio Batista. The Western Hemisphere’s first communist state was established on Jan. 1, 1959, with Castro at its head. The U.S. continues its presence in Cuba with a naval base at Guantanamo Bay.

Cuba Events and Festivals

Cubans are passionate about their music and the country is the birthplace of the rumba, the mambo, cha-cha, salsa and more. The International Jazz Festival has an excellent line-up of well-known musicians. Las Parrandas in Remedios at the end of the year is one of the biggest street parties and religious carnivals in Cuba. Another don’t-miss carnival takes place in summer in Santiago.

Cuba Nightlife

If you’re staying in or near Havana don’t miss the opportunity to see a local salsa or jazz group playing. Try La Zorra y El Cuervo for jazz or Macumba Habana for salsa. Or do as the locals do and head down to the Malecon, Havana’s famous sea wall, with some beers or a bottle of rum and simply hang out under the stars. Visit the Havana bars made famous by Ernest Hemingway -- El Floridita, where the daiquiri was invented, and La Bodeguita del Medio, both in Old Havana. Outside of the capital, you’ll find the greatest variety of nightlife in the hotels.

Conservation of Varied Ecosystems.

Well preserved ecosystems, variegated landscapes and a vast array of flora and fauna make Cuba an exceptional Caribbean destination for nature lovers.
Four per cent of the world’s land species live on the Cuban archipelago. It is home to some 6,700 species of higher plants (about half of which are native) as well as 14,000 species of invertebrates and 650 vertebrates—including 350 bird species. Among Cuba’s countless gems are the world’s smallest frog (Eleutherodactylus limbatus, only 12 millimetres long) and tiniest bird (Mellisuga helenae—the bee hummingbird, some 63 millimetres long).
Roaming through the country, visitors will find lush tropical forests, where rare orchids grow; dry mountainous areas, where prehistoric cacti still live; everglades populated by mangrove,manatee and flamingoes; wetlands harbouring speciesimportant tobiotechnology;and hummocks that guard fossillized plants such as the cork palm(Microcycascalocoma).
The country also boasts more than 100 nature trails and hiking paths.Main hiking routes arewell signed, and professional guides are available. Spelunking, bird-watching, nature photography and horseback riding are only a few of the activities awaiting nature lovers.

Most popular destinations

Steeped in faded grandeur, Cuba, the Caribbean's largest island, drips with history, culture, and a captivating mystique. Live music wafts through the cobbled squares in Havana's World Heritage-listed Old Town, vintage cars still cruise the streets, and the beautiful old buildings of Cuba's colonial cities evoke the feel of a country frozen in time. Cuba also abounds in natural beauty. This vast island has more than 3,000 kilometers of coastline, much of it rimmed by dazzling beaches. Coral reefs glimmer in the turquoise waters, and Cuba's lush countryside and sublime islands have played host to presidents, provided refuge to revolutionaries, and inspired writers from around the world, Hemingway among them. With all this history and beauty as well as superb diving and fishing, Cuba offers a depth and diversity few Caribbean islands can rival.

2019 Vinales

2019 Zapata Peninsule

2019 Trinidad

2019 Santiago de Cuba

Top Place in Cuba

The National Park is located on the Zapata Peninsula, one of the largest swamps in the Caribbean. It is characterized by endless blue beaches, exotic forests, rivers, lakes, flooded caverns, natural pools, unbeatable sea bottoms, virgin areas, typical marshland savannas, and 30% of Cuba's indigenous fauna, including over 160 species of birds, 18 of them endemic. The park is one of the country's richest zones for ecological tourism, as well as for hiking, bird watching, game photography, all types of scuba diving, trekking, boat rides and other water and land sports.

Ecotourism. There is plenty for ecotourists to see in this lush, well-protected region. Discover “Treasure Lake,” observe rare crocodiles at a protective breeding reserve, and explore all that the vast wetlands within this UNESCO-recognized biosphere have to offer.Zapata Ciénaga Biosphere ReserveOne of Cuba's six UNESCO biospheres, the Zapata reserve contains the largest wetlands in the Caribbean, and one of its most diverse ecosystems. Bring your binoculars: the world's smallest bird, the bee hummingbird, makes its home here.Gran Parque Natural MontemarThe Zapata Peninsula Biosphere reserve was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2001. It contains the largest wetlands in the Caribbean. Here you will see flamingos, manatee, crocodiles and the world’s smallest bird, the bee hummingbird, thriving in their natural habitat.Criadero de CocodrilosEstablished in 1962, this crocodile breeding farm has successfully saved two endangered species of crocodiles from extinction.Laguna del Tesoro (Treasure Lake)Head down a 5-km canal to reach this scenic lagoon located east of Boca de Guamá. A lifelike recreation of a Taíno village spans across several small islands.

Cuba

Stay in a casa particular.If you want to get to know Cuba you’re going to need to get to know Cubans. There’s no easier way of doing this on a two-week trip than to stay in the Cuban version of a B&B, a casa particular. You’ll feel more like a lodger than a hotel guest, sharing the owners’ living space with them and, given the national penchant for chat, engaging with them in next to no time.

Always stash some cash. Cash is king in Cuba and you should never rely on credit or debit cards or travellers cheques for payments. For the majority of goods, services and businesses plastic is useless, whilst for all private enterprise, including paladars and casas particulares, only the paper stuff will do.
Always withdraw money when you can. Cash machines are scarce, those accepting foreign cards even scarcer and problems with them are frequent; not all banks can process foreign currency transactions and the opening hours of those that can rarely extend to the weekend or past 3.30pm in the week, especially outside Havana and the beach resorts.
From a security point of view it’s not ideal, but whenever you withdraw cash you’ll likely save yourself some hassle if you take out enough for at least a few days, especially on a road trip into the provinces.

The most common form of accommodation is known as Casa Particular. There are several hotels in Cuba, but the most common form of accommodation are the Casas Particulares. These are rooms or apartments rented by locals for a daily fee. Sometimes, you might rent an apartment for yourself while in other cases you might rent a room in a family’s house and share the common spaces with them. Many families have turned their houses into Casas Particulares with several rooms to make a living in Cuba. If you can, stay in a Casa Particular for the local experience and to help the family’s local business.